The mayor's inner circle passed the city budgets with a few changes on Wednesday morning.
The executive policy committee earmarked $200,000 to help fix the Sherbrook Pool, which was closed last year. Proposed cuts to museum funding in the budgets have been reduced from 10 per cent to five per cent. An additional $340,000 is being added for salaries and utilities at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy.
Coun. Paula Havixbeck (Charleswood-Tuxedo) voted against it. She wanted the museum and grant funding restored completely. She also called for the cancellation of $40,000 increases to councillors’ ward allowances.
Coun Russ Wyatt, chair of the finance committee, said the increases to ward allowances are needed.
"I know there (have) been concerns raised about it but the amount of constituents per ward and when folks call they want responses - they want emails returned, you know. They want phone calls returned. This is to assist the elected officials to do their work. It's important to the citizens of Winnipeg,” said Wyatt.
The budgets now move to full city council next week for final approval.
Havixbeck also tabled a motion for the city to hire a tow truck to clear stalled vehicles off roads during rush hour. The idea is being referred to the public works committee for review.
The EPC also gave the green light to an idea that would allow taxi drivers to wait in front of fire hydrants for fares. The move would require the province to change the Highway Traffic Act. Taxi drivers have long complained about a lack of space to pick up and drop off fares. The changes would be done on a trial basis, as a six-month pilot project. Taxi drivers would have to remain in their vehicles, in case cars needed to be moved in the event of a fire.
